Alternative forms of transport

One of the most popular forms of urban transport in Britain used to be the tram. They were first used in London in 1861, but they were all replaced by buses after 1945. Trams are making a comeback. South Yorkshire has a 19-mile (30-kilometre) Supertram network which opened in 1994. Many cities are considering trams as alternatives to buses. Manchester uses trams as part of its Metrolink system, which goes across the city centre to link up towns on each side. The Manchester trams are clean and quiet and carry up to 250 people each. They have no steps so they are easy to use if you are disabled, have a pram or are carrying lots of shopping. They do not get stuck in traffic. So far the Metrolink system has reduced car trips by an estimated 2 million a year, which is 10 per cent of the total car journeys every year.

The most environmentally friendly vehicle is a bicycle, but cycling in Britain can be dangerous as there are not many bicycle lanes in British cities. Many drivers do not realise that there are cyclists on the roads: cyclists, like pedestrians, are almost as likely to be killed or injured as motorists. This is why an increasing number of cyclists wear helmets and fluorescent clothing. Cycling can be unhealthy: pollutants from cars, buses and lorries can affect your breathing. Many cyclists in cities wear masks to protect themselves from the exhaust fumes.

Michael Vaughan-Rees, Geraldine Sweeney, Picot Cassidy: In Britain. 21st Century Edition, Cornelsen Verlag, 2000, page 67